The microwave-assisted ionic liquid nanocomposite synthesis: platinum nanoparticles on graphene and the application on hydrogenation of styrene

Abstract

The microwave-assisted nanocomposite synthesis of metal nanoparticles on graphene or graphite oxide was introduced in this research. With microwave assistance, the Pt nanoparticles on graphene/graphite oxide were successfully produced in the ionic liquid of 2-hydroxyethanaminium formate [HOCH2CH2NH3][HCO2]. On graphene/graphite oxide, the sizes of Pt nanoparticles were about 5 to 30 nm from transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) results. The crystalline Pt structures were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Since hydrogenation of styrene is one of the important well-known chemical reactions, herein, we demonstrated then the catalytic hydrogenation capability of the Pt nanoparticles on graphene/graphite oxide for the nanocomposite to compare with that of the commercial catalysts (Pt/C and Pd/C, 10 wt.% metal catalysts on activated carbon from Strem chemicals, Inc.). The conversions with the Pt nanoparticles on graphene are >99% from styrene to ethyl benzene at 100°C and under 140 psi H2 atmosphere. However, ethyl cyclohexane could be found as a side product at 100°C and under 1,520 psi H2 atmosphere utilizing the same nanocomposite catalyst.

Preparation of supercapacitors based on nanocomposites films of MnO2/CB/C from sodium alginate and MnO2 nanoparticles by direct electrophoretic deposition and carbonization

“…Carbon coating CdTe nanowires are synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal process using ascorbic acid as carbonization source [14]. A synthetic route to prepare carbon-coated copper or nanoparticles is developed in an ionic liquid under microwave heating [15]. Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C cathode materials can be prepared by solid-state method with sucrose as carbon source [16].…”

Recent advances in the catalytic applications of GO/rGO for green organic synthesis

“…Moreover, catalytic applications of Pt NPs supported onto graphene are well established, which include its use as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (Pt/graphene nanosheet surface [GNS]) [109] and for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) (Pt/rGO) [110], electrochemical sensors (Pt/G) [111], alcohol oxidation (Pt/rGO) [112], styrene hydrogenation (PtNPs/G) [113], etc. Aday et al [114] reported the development of highly crystalline, colloidally stable and highly monodisperse Pt NPs@rGO and its use as a catalyst for the synthesis of acridinedione derivatives which are well recognized to possess numerous biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, myorelaxant, free radical scavenging, etc.…”

New Developments in Material Preparation Using a Combination of Ionic Liquids and Microwave Irradiation

“…When conventional heating methods (e.g., oil bath) and other solvent were used, fewer or no nanostructures formed. Other studies also reported successful syntheses of nanostructures of Au, Pt and Rh using the MAIL technique [41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51]. Many researchers emphasize that ILs act as steric stabilizers, solvents and/or microwave absorbers during synthesis of metal nanostructures [41].…”